The Architectural Influence

With the recent passing of Zaha Hadid, we are reminded of the architectural structures that cover our planet–both new and old, historic and modern. Although names like Frank Lloyd-Wright, Daniel Libeskind, and Zaha Hadid are commonplace, there are many lesser known architects that have been pushing the envelope of design and structure for years now. Shigeru Ban has been creating unique spaces and making a name for himself along the way.

Winner of the 2014 Pritzker Prize, Japanese architect Shigeru Ban gained international acclaim by using unorthodox materials such as cardboard and paper for structures designed to aid disaster victims around the globe. His visionary aesthetic, at once fluid and geometric, has taken shape in temporary structures like relief housing, a cathedral, and a bridge—all with an innate understanding of impermanence, the environment, and humanity. His ability to design buildings that blend human needs with breathtaking visual dynamism was honed at Manhattan’s Cooper Union School of Architecture, where he studied under John Hejduk, one-fifth of the famed New York Five group of architects. In addition to his humanitarian work, Ban’s has created museums, homes, and short-term pavilions, each showcasing an innovative use of space and material. Here, Architectural Digest presents a selection of his most notable works. Click here to read the full article.